Antony Perry
23 August 2018: The University of Canberra will become the new training venue for Canberra United for the 2018-19 W-League season and beyond as part of a new sponsorship arrangement.
The University has re-signed as the W-League club’s front of shirt sponsor for another season, taking the sponsorship into its ninth year.
Under the deal, Canberra United will shift its training base from the Australian Institute of Sport to the Sports Hub at the University’s Bruce campus.
At the University, the two-time W-League champions will have access to some of the best training facilities in Australia, which are already benefitting the ACT Brumbies, the University of Canberra Capitals and the University’s women’s rugby sevens team.
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deep Saini welcomed Canberra United’s move to the Sports Hub.
“We have enjoyed a long and successful association with Canberra United and this new arrangement is testament to that,” Professor Saini said.
“Today is a significant moment in our relationship and we welcome them to the University.
“Our world-class sports facilities are the envy of our peers. The facilities we offer teams who call our campus home provide a foundation for success – on and off the field.
“We’re looking forward to watching Canberra United closely and wish them well in their pursuit of further W-League glory. We’ll be there every step of the way.”
Capital Football Chief Executive Officer Phil Brown said he looked forward to the partnership growing in strength.
“It is with great pleasure that we renew the partnership between the University of Canberra and Canberra United,” Mr Brown said.
“As major sponsor for eight years, the University of Canberra have directly supported the local pathway for talented female footballers.
“We are also excited to build on that partnership, with the University providing the Canberra United training base for Season 11 of the W-League.
“Locating the team at the University of Canberra gives the club access to excellent training and high-performance facilities and will allow it to benefit from the University’s work to position itself as one of the premier sporting universities in Australia and the world.”
The University has sponsored Canberra United since 2010–11 when it signed on as the club’s back of shorts sponsor. Since then, the relationship has gone from strength to strength.
Students at the University have undertaken internship programs with the club and its owner, Capital Football, while a number of Canberra United players have obtained degrees at the University.
Researchers from the University’s Research Institute for Sport and Exercise regularly assist the club’s staff with injury prevention and management.
Canberra United was crowned W-League champions in 2011–12 and 2013–14. It claimed its third competition premiership in 2016–17 after finishing on top of the ladder at the end of the regular season.
The 2018–19 W-League season kicks off in October.
